The lone Alpha

The Mustang let out a delicate purr as the car came to a halt in the Ramirez parking spot. The twins coolly exited the car, the same thought revolving in their mind, and with their innate connection, they could tell deep down the other's excitement.

They basically rushed into the house, the house's automatic security long recognizing their signatures ensuring a smooth entry till they reached a seemingly plain wall in the basement. Just like shifters, Hunters had their own way of easily preventing unauthorized entry from unsuspecting humans or even shifters. Unlike the rune system adopted by shifters, Hunters used a more state-of-the-art camouflage system and tech.

A pale red light swiftly scanned their frames as they approached, a tiny camera embedded in the wall already scanning their pupils.

*Identities confirmed* A robotic voice chimed

*Ian and Amelia Ramirez. Access granted*

The wall gently split apart with both sides quickly receding into the walls, revealing a room that would put most armories to shame. . The room had a rectangular shape, easily 30 meters wide and about 20 meters long. Various specs of weapons decorated some parts of the walls; knives, swords, grenades, and guns of various specs and lethality. Several high-level tech decorated the other parts of the room, oddly shaped tools of varying uses and sizes, all for the trade of hunting shifters. A large computer screen faced the entrance of the room, its exterior a shiny black and seemingly merged with the wall, equipped with the most efficient processors the current technology could offer. A decent meeting area was smack dab in the center of the room, a crystalline oval table surrounded by several comfy chairs.

The other members of the D1 Squad tag number 258 were already present in the room, patiently awaiting the arrival of the twins. The twins took a calming breath and confidently strode into the room.

"What's the update?" Ian asked taking a seat at the helm directly facing the huge screen, already noticing the palpable excitement from his teammates.

Sam let out a toothy grin as he couldn't help but chuckle, the other members had smiles on their faces as they simultaneously turned toward the screen that smoothly sprung to life.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

MISSION UPDATE: FIND AND NEUTRALIZE THE PROBABLE ALPHA ENTITY

MISSION TAG: 91765D

MISSION RANK: D+

MISSION REWARD: SQUAD ADVANCES TO C-RANK

****CONTACT AGENT 365 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION****

FAILURE TO ACCEPT MISSION WITHIN 6 HOURS RESULTS IN MISSION TERMINATION

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ian's eyes widened as he took in the meaning of the message, his eyes glancing again at the rewards. While it looked unassuming, being merely a single line, it was a dream of the hundreds of D-rank squads that have been stuck for years due to the strict requirements to advance. Their team was amongst the strongest D-rank Squad in the Corp and even they didn't think they'd be able to advance for at least another year. Now a deal too sweet to ignore landed right in front of them, a stark reminder of the danger they'll have to face.

A D+ rank was basically a C-rank mission in difficulty as it required at least a member possessing base C-level to have a small percentage of completion and the strongest amongst them Sam was at most a pseudo-C-rank.

Ian glanced around the room, the gleam in the eyes of his teammates not escaping him. The allure of advancing to C-rank, possessing their own squad name, and the upgraded access to items in the Corp was more than enough an incentive to risk their very lives for this mission.

"Well, what do we think?" Ian asked merely as a formality.

"I say it's a once in a…not a lifetime opportunity but it's pretty damn rare and I have no doubt we'd regret it if we turned it down" Sam said with a serious tone, unbefitting of his usual bubbly personality.

"While the risks would no doubt be great and probably life threatening…" Mark furrowed his brows for a second but it was quickly replaced by a fierce look. "I have faith in our current strength"

Ian nodded as he turned to Alex, receiving a nod in return. His gaze turned to Chris, Minnie and Jessica, patiently waiting for their response.

"I'll start thinking of a decent Unit name" Jessica let out a beautiful smile full of charm, her eyes seemingly shining with a palpable light of exhilaration.

"We've been stuck at D-Rank for too long, it's about time we stepped up" Chris spoke solemnly.

"Hunting such a strong Alpha should be fun" Minnie giggled.

Ian let out a smile at their responses. He took a moment to contemplate before turning to his twin sister. "Well Amy…what do you think?"

Amelia stared at the screen with a slightly dazed expression, a solemn expression hidden in her eyes. She took a deep breath as she turned her eyes to the team, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"I call dibs on the bazooka"

***************************

A black SUV waited outside a luxurious restaurant, its shiny black exterior leaving a deep impression on all who stumbled upon it and left them wondering who the important personality was.

In a private room reserved for special guests, a handsome youth sat calmly sipping his drink while awaiting his order. A voluptuous woman, with a figure that easily sparked fires in men and would make even models envious, sat opposite him, a smile on her face as she calmly watched him sip his drink. 

A man stood behind the lady, his entire presence seemed concealed and blended effortlessly into the environment. His glasses sharply reflected light and served as the only vivid reminder of his existence.

Daniel sat calmly in his seat though his heart was far from calm. His entire being was being assaulted by a strong aura filled with a near-irresistible charm and compulsion. He became painfully aware he'd been lured into a trap, specifically a honey trap.

The lady before him merely sat still but he had barely been able to tear his eyes away and he wasn't so confident in maintaining eye contact for long. He wasn't particularly bothered as he could sense no ill intent from her, the charm was most likely something she released unintentionally.

The silence was broken by a soft knock, followed by the appearance of a few waiters entering moments later. The waiters expertly placed numerous dishes on the table, quickly filled up cups with clearly expensive wine, and just as quickly exited the room, quietly shutting the door behind them leaving the room in silence once more.

"Please Mr Wayne" The lady's pleasant voice echoed in the room, her hand gesturing toward the table.

Daniel glanced at her with narrow eyes, trying to read her intentions from her face. He shrugged before quickly digging in, displaying manners and etiquette that would have brought a tear of pride his butler's eye.

Smiling slightly at his actions, she picked up a glass full of wine and took a small sip to moisturize her lips. The action in itself was casual and insignificant but gave off an entirely different feel from a certain wolf in the room.

They sat casually in silence, savoring the meals one after the other. Given their nature, despite gently eating, the table was soon cleared up save for the drinks.

"I feel it's about time I properly introduce myself Mr. Wayne" She smiled slightly, twirling a glass of wine in her hand.

Daniel slightly raised his gaze, waiting.

"My name is Shirley. I take it you haven't heard of me" Shirley slightly chuckled at Daniel's clueless expression. "It's fine, you've basically been a hermit these past five years…well, until yesterday"

Daniel narrowed his eyes at her words. He didn't think the news would spread so fast. He was hoping to still have about a day or two of peace.

"What do you want?" He asked with a blank expression.

"What I want?" Shirley let out a small chuckle. "It's more like I'm here to help you Mr. Wayne…can I call you Daniel?"

"What do you mean help me?" Daniel squinted his eye. "and no"

"Quite willfull as they say huhn" Shirley raised an eyebrow. "anyway, let me ask you a question Mr. Wayne…Do you think rats are only number roughly 50?A standard rat pack is at least a hundred"

Daniel furrowed his brows. "He was a recently evolved alpha, he hadn't even properly consolidated his core yet"

"Hmm regardless, what pack do you think he came from?" She pressed.

"Does it matter?" Daniel retorted, his eyes a mask of calm. If she came here to threaten or pressure him with some stronger rat pack then she had another thing coming.

Shirley lips twitched at his response. The Wayne family from top to bottom was truly was a tyrannical one. Her initial plan to scare him seemed to slowly erupt in smoke before her eyes.

"Well…the Circle would definitely have questions for you"

"I had my reasons…they'd hold" Daniel replied leisurely.

Shirley blinked, unsure how to proceed. She initially planned to put him on edge then offer an olive branch at his moment of despair but she had truly underestimated the personality of a Wayne.